How to Sign "Lies"

To sign 'lies' (or 'lie'), form your dominant hand into a flat shape with your fingers together and your palm facing down. Place the side of your index finger against your chin. Slide your hand smoothly across your chin from one side to the other.

Examples Using "Lies" in a Sentence

1

He tells a lot of lies.

To sign this, you can point to the person, sign 'TELL', 'MANY', and then use the sign for 'LIES' by sliding your flat hand across your chin.

2

Please don't lie to me.

Sign 'PLEASE', 'DON'T', and then sign 'LIE' while looking directly at the person to emphasize that you want the truth.

3

Is that the truth or a lie?

Sign 'THAT', 'TRUE', 'OR', and then 'LIE', using a questioning facial expression with raised eyebrows to indicate you are asking a question.

How to Sign "Lies"
To sign 'lies' (or 'lie'), form your dominant hand into a flat shape with your fingers together and your palm facing down. Place the side of your index finger against your chin. Slide your hand smoothly across your chin from one side to the other.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic. The sideways sliding motion across the chin represents words slipping out of the mouth sideways, indicating that what is being said is not 'straight' or true.
Signing Tips
Keep your hand flat and ensure the movement is a smooth glide across the chin. Your facial expression should match the context—furrow your brows if you suspect someone is being deceitful.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is moving the hand forward and away from the face instead of sliding it sideways across the chin. Make sure the side of your index finger maintains contact with your chin throughout the motion.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Lies" in a Sentence
1

He tells a lot of lies.

To sign this, you can point to the person, sign 'TELL', 'MANY', and then use the sign for 'LIES' by sliding your flat hand across your chin.

2

Please don't lie to me.

Sign 'PLEASE', 'DON'T', and then sign 'LIE' while looking directly at the person to emphasize that you want the truth.

3

Is that the truth or a lie?

Sign 'THAT', 'TRUE', 'OR', and then 'LIE', using a questioning facial expression with raised eyebrows to indicate you are asking a question.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for 'lie' (falsehood) the same as 'lie down'?

No, they are completely different signs. The sign for 'lie down' uses a 'V' handshape to represent a person's legs resting on the palm of your non-dominant hand, whereas 'lies' is signed on the chin.

How do I sign 'liar'?

To sign 'liar', you first perform the sign for 'lie' by sliding your flat hand across your chin, and then immediately add the 'person marker' by sliding both flat hands downwards in front of your body.

Does it matter which direction I slide my hand?

Generally, you should use your dominant hand and slide it across your chin starting from your dominant side and moving toward your non-dominant side.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!